Role of recessive and dominant mutations in adaptation of the genus Rana to modern biosphere

The populations of three anuran amphibian species (Amphibia, Anura) of the genus Rana (R. ridibunda Pall., R. arvalis Nilss. and R. temporaria L.) inhabiting the Yekaterinburg urban agglomeration were examined. The frequencies of two traits, morph striata and iris depigmentation, were estimated in these populations. The former trait, so-called morph striata, is phenotypically expressed as a light dorsomedial stripe. It is controlled by a dominant allele of autosomal diallelic gene striata in some species of Rana genus, exhibiting complete dominance. Striata individuals have a number of physiological features that confer them an advantage under conditions of natural and artificial geochemical anomalies. The second trait, iris depigmentation, is the result of a recessive mutation. The individuals homozygous for this trait have low viability. Thus, the dominant mutations promote rapid adaptation of their carriers. Conversely, the recessive mutations may reduce viability of an individual.